About Western

Western University delivers an academic experience second to none. Western challenges the best and brightest faculty, staff and students to commit to the highest global standards. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western attracts individuals with a broad worldview, seeking to study, influence and lead in the international community. Since 1878, The Western Experience has combined academic excellence with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social and cultural growth in order to better serve our communities.

About Us

The Department of Biology is the largest academic unit in the Faculty of Science. Our ~40 full-time faculty members teach close to 70 courses to over 13,000 students annually, host approximately 1,300 majors, and have an average graduate enrollment of 120 - 140 students, supported by close to 30 full-time staff members. The Department is housed in six main buildings (B&GS, WSC, Collip, NCB, AFAR, and Biotron). We are broadly based in biology research and teaching, as we pursue biological knowledge from the scale of molecules to ecosystems. We are also a diverse and collegial community that fosters learning, growth, and student success through inquiry, discovery, and innovation in a working environment committed to mutual respect.

For more information please visit http://www.westernu.ca/biology

Responsibilities

The laboratory technician will provide support to first year biology laboratory course in the Department of Biology. The incumbent will be required to work in a team with other technical staff. Work sharing with others may require availability in most evenings and some time on weekends (regular work shifting, no premium paid). Work hours are variable and planned in advance.

Major Duties (approximately 90%):

• • Collect lab supplies/equipment from storage/lenders
  • Prepare materials, media, buffers, and solutions for lab exercises
  • Set up lab stations with equipment and materials; take down and clean up after
  • Service and restock lab stations two to three times daily
  • Be present during laboratory sessions, particularly evening sessions to assist TAs/students with missing/non-functional equipment/supplies or other general questions
  • Clean, repair, replace lab equipment and glassware; return to storage/lenders
  • Maintain stock samples for student experiments
  • Perform testing of new lab protocols/experiments for students’ individual or group projects
  • Conduct and verify decontamination of biological waste, microbial media, and glassware by autoclaving
  • Collect, autoclave, and dispose of hazardous materials, solutions, and biological waste
  • Assist with lab or exam related preparation for example, printing and posting lab signs and schedules, gathering and assembling folders with pre-exam material, or other post-exam duties as assigned (e.g. scantron drop off and pick up; assist with demonstration on online laboratory simulation tools as well as hands-on laboratory preparation and procedures to students, TAs, or new staff)
  • Update and maintain course technical operation manual and files in lab computers

Other Duties (approximately 10%):

• • Clean microscopes (-120 units) and slides
  • Maintain chemical, material and equipment inventories
  • Maintain audio-visual systems, computers, lab equipment
  • Update chemical usage logs
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education:

• B.Sc. in Biology

Experience:

• 1 year of technical hands-on job experience working directly in a technical support role in an undergraduate biological science teaching laboratory

Skills, Abilities & Expertise:

• Excellent ability to work independently or as part of a collaborative team
• Ability to quickly learn and apply new concepts and techniques
• Demonstrated ability to prepare, setup, and deploy undergraduate teaching labs or exam related materials in large volumes following schedule and instructions
• Demonstrated ability to perform large volume lab set up within a very tight schedule and in high-paced peak demand time during academic terms
• Excellent organization, communication, time management, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to write clear, concise, and accurate procedural documentation
• Excellent multitasking skills and ability to meet multiple competing priorities and deadlines
• Ability to take initiative to troubleshoot and resolve lab preparation, set-up, and clean-up issues with an ability to seek support in complex situations
• Strong judgement, analytical, and problem-solving skills in order to identify point of error during laboratory preparation
• Ability to work within a flexible schedule to accommodate the laboratory’s events and activities (e.g. late evening, weekend, and sometime holidays to accommodate lab course preparation and set up)
• Ability to quickly adapt to changes and situations
• Familiarity with common laboratory safety practices, safe chemical handling, WHMIS, MSDS, and hazardous waste procedures
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, climb step stool, lift, and retrieve items weighing up to 20 kg using proper ergonomic procedures and related equipment
• Attention to detail and proofreading abilities with an excellent command of the English language
• Intermediate computer skills with Microsoft Office suite

Why Western?

Western offers a broad and exciting variety of part-time and temporary employment opportunities with ample room for job exploration and growth. Within our beautiful campus, you are part of a progressive work environment that promotes work/life balance including access to our state-of-the-art recreation centre. Apply for an opportunity to be part of the Western community and contribute to its success!

Applying at Western

To ensure that your application is given full consideration, please complete all relevant sections of the application. In addition, you can choose to supplement your application with a cover letter and current resume.

Consideration of applicants will include an assessment of previous performance, experience, and qualifications. Applicants should have oral communication skills in English.

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

Please Note:

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.